Method and Device Enabling Defined Temperature and Hygrometric Conditions to be Established and Maintained Inside Premises

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and device for establishing and maintaining defined temperature and hygrometric conditions inside premises. The method comprises the following steps: a supply reservoir ( 1 ) is filled with water; water contained in the supply reservoir ( 1 ) passes into tubes ( 3 ) or hollow profiled elements ( 3 ) of an evaporator/exchanger ( 2 ); part of the water is exuded on the outer walls of the tubes ( 3 ) or hollow profiled elements ( 3 ); a thin film of water is created on the outer walls; said film of water is subsequently evaporated, whereby the water circulating in the tubes ( 3 ) is cooled; a flow of air to be cooled is generated with the aid of ventilation means ( 7 ); the refrigerated water in said air flow is atomized with the aid of atomizing means ( 6 ) in order to create a humidified and cooled air flow.

The present invention is a method and a device used to establish and/ormaintain defined conditions of temperature and humidity in a building.

It is used notably, but not exclusively, for cooling dwellings, sportshalls, industrial buildings and buildings for livestock during periodsof high temperatures.

To cool ambient air, air-conditioners are often used which are aneffective solution for reducing the temperature of the buildings inwhich they are located. However they have the disadvantage of beingrelatively expensive, have high running costs, high energy consumptionand their heat and noxious gas emissions means they are not ecological,further they have a drying effect on the ambient air.

In order to cool ambient air, fans are also used which move the air thusalleviating the sensation of heat, but they do not, in reality, reducethe air temperature and have no effect on the degree of humidity in theroom.

The invention is therefore designed particularly to remedy thesedisadvantages with a method as well as a device implementing the saidmethod which is based, in part, on endothermic reactions, and which areused to establish and maintain defined conditions of temperature andhumidity in a building.

To achieve this, the method establishes and/or maintains definedconditions of temperature and humidity in a building according to thefollowing steps:

-   -   the filling with water of a supply reservoir connected to an        evaporator/exchanger;    -   the passage of the water contained in the supply reservoir        through the tubes or hollowed-out elements of an        evaporator/exchanger;    -   the exudation of a part of the water circulating in the        evaporator/exchanger on the external walls of the said tubes or        said hollowed-out elements, the exudation being possible due to        the porosity of the material which constitutes the tubes or        hollowed-out elements;    -   the creation of a thin film of water on the external walls of        the said tubes or hollowed-out elements;    -   the subsequent evaporation of this film of water provoking, by        endothermic reaction, a cooling of the water circulating in the        tubes or hollowed-out elements;    -   the generation, by a means of ventilation, of a flow of air        which is to be cooled;    -   the spraying of the refrigerated water in the said airflow,        using a means of spraying, in order to create a humidified and        cooled airflow.

According to a variant of the execution of the invention, the saidmethod comprises the following supplementary steps:

-   -   the collection of the refrigerated water, after its passage in        the tubes or the hollowed-out elements, in a collection        reservoir;    -   the aspiration of the refrigerated water contained in the        collection reservoir, using a means of aspiration, in order to        direct it towards the said means of spraying.

According to another variant of the execution of the invention, the saidmethod comprises the following supplementary steps:

-   -   the collection of the refrigerated water, after its passage in        the tubes or the hollowed-out elements, in a collection        reservoir;    -   the transfer of the refrigerated water contained in the        collection reservoir to the supply reservoir, using a means of        aspiration, the water moving through a tube linking the supply        reservoir to the collection reservoir;    -   the injection of the cooled water contained in the supply        reservoir into the means of spraying.

Advantageously, the refrigerated water may be directly sprayed, usingthe said means of spraying, on the structure of the evaporator/exchangerand the refrigeration of the water will be obtained by the combinationof three effects:

-   -   the evaporation of the film of water provoking, by endothermic        reaction, a cooling of the water circulating in the tubes or        hollowed-out elements;    -   the spraying of the refrigerated water on the structure of the        evaporator/exchanger, using a means of spraying, in order to        optimise the cooling of the said structure;    -   the generation, by a means of ventilation, of a flow of air,        this flow of air assists in accelerating the evaporation of the        said film of water thus optimising the endothermic reaction and        so the cooling of the water circulating in the tubes or        hollowed-out elements.

Advantageously, so that the endothermic reaction may take placethroughout a complete cycle of the implementation of the steps of thesaid procedure, the spraying of the refrigerated water on the structureof the evaporator/exchanger may be effected in an intermittent manner.

Advantageously, the refrigerated water contained in the collectionreservoir may also be used, for example, to water livestock.

The method is implemented with a device which has:

-   -   a supply reservoir connected to an evaporator/exchanger;    -   an evaporator/exchanger comprising tubes or hollowed-out        elements, made of a porous material, through which the water        coming from the supply reservoir circulates;    -   a means of pulverisation;    -   a means used to transmit the refrigerated water contained in a        collection reservoir or in a supply reservoir to the means of        spraying;    -   a means of ventilation generating a flow of air directed toward        the means of spraying in order to produce a humidified and        cooled airflow;    -   a collection reservoir collecting the refrigerated water coming        from the evaporator/exchanger.

According to an execution variant of the invention, the said tubes orthe hollowed-out elements are made of a heat-conducting material and arecoated with a material which absorbs the water projected onto the saidtubes or the hollowed-out elements. Consequently, the evaporation of thewater retained by this absorbent material will cause, by endothermicreaction, a cooling of the water circulating in the tubes or thehollowed-out elements.

Advantageously, the devices of the said type may be modular, and theymay then be superposed or juxtaposed to form an assembly which isadjustable according to the volume of the building in question.

Advantageously, the device may be driven remotely by means of acontrolling device which notably allows the user to actuate the deviceand control the intensity and length of the duty cycle of the device.This control device may comprise indicators for temperature, humidity,rate of airflow, etc.

The execution modes of the invention are given in descriptions below, asindicative examples of use, with reference to appendix drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an overall cross-section of the device according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a mobile device which isintended, preferably, for use in small buildings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the evaporator/exchanger of the deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall cross-section of a fixed system comprising severalsuperposed devices according to the invention, this system beingintended, preferably, for use in medium sized or large buildings.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the device as a module, inaccordance with an execution variant of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a livestock building with a systemcomprising several of the devices according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a connecting plate fitted with tubes whichis part of the system shown in FIG. 4.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

-   -   the filling with water of a supply reservoir 1 connected to an        evaporator/exchanger 2;    -   the passage of the water contained in the supply reservoir 1        through the tubes 3 or hollowed-out elements 3 of an        evaporator/exchanger 2;    -   the exudation of a part of the water circulating in the        evaporator/exchanger 2 on the external walls of the said tubes 3        or said hollowed-out elements 3, the exudation being possible        due to the porosity of the material which constitutes the tubes        3 or hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the creation of a thin film of water on the external walls of        the said tubes 3 or hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the subsequent evaporation of this film of water provoking, by        endothermic reaction, a cooling of the water circulating in the        tubes 3 or hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the generation, by a means of ventilation 7 of a flow of air        which is to be cooled;    -   the spraying of the refrigerated water in the said airflow,        using a means of spraying 6, in order to create a humidified and        cooled airflow.

In the example represented in FIG. 1, the device according to theinvention 8 comprises:

-   -   a supply reservoir 1 connected to an evaporator/exchanger 2;    -   an evaporator/exchanger 2 comprising tubes 3 or hollowed-out        elements 3, made of a porous material, through which the water        coming from the supply reservoir 1 circulates;    -   a means of spraying 6 placed behind the said        evaporator/exchanger 2 which sprays refrigerated water, coming        from a collection reservoir 4, on the structure of the        evaporator/exchanger 2;    -   a means of aspiration 5 used to transmit the refrigerated water        contained in the collection reservoir 4 toward the means of        spraying 6;    -   a means of ventilation 7 placed behind the means of spraying 6        which generates a flow of air directed toward the means of        spraying 6 in order to produce, on contact with the        evaporator/exchanger 2, a humidified and cooled airflow;    -   a collection reservoir 4 arranged beneath the        evaporator/exchanger 2 collecting the refrigerated water coming        from the evaporator/exchanger 2.

So, the device 8 shown in FIG. 1 implements the execution variant of theinvention according to which the said method comprises the followingsupplementary steps:

-   -   the collection of the refrigerated water, after its passage in        the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3, in the collection        reservoir 4;    -   the aspiration of the refrigerated water contained in the        collection reservoir 4, using a means of aspiration 5, in order        to direct it towards the said means of spraying 6.

Further, the refrigerated water being directly sprayed on the structureof the evaporator/exchanger 2 with the means of spraying 6, thisspraying may be effected intermittently using the means of spraying 6 sothat the endothermic reaction may take place throughout a complete cycleof the implementation of the steps of the said procedure.

The supply reservoir 1 which will be advantageously insulated, has anorifice 9 by which the reservoir 1 is filled with water. This orifice 9which may be situated on the upper face of the said reservoir 1 may beclosed by a small flap 10 or by a screw stopper 10 and will besufficiently wide for the introduction of ice cubes in the supplyreservoir 1 in order to have refrigerated water available more quickly.

Advantageously, the supply reservoir 1 has a greater capacity than thatof the collection reservoir 4 further, as shown in FIG. 4, it may bedirectly linked to the mains water supply by an appropriate pipe 11which may be a rigid tube or a flexible tube reinforced with a metalbraid.

The tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3 of the evaporator/exchanger 2are made of a porous material which is preferably an ordinary ceramicwith open porosity such as terracotta or earthenware which allows thesweating of the water thus creating a thin film of water on theirexternal walls, the subsequent evaporation of this film provoking, byendothermic reaction and in accordance with the principle of thefunctioning of “alcarazas”, a cooling of the water circulating in thetubes or the hollowed-out elements 3. In order to optimise the exudationmethod, the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3 will preferably bearranged vertically.

According to an execution variant of the invention, the said tubes 3 orthe hollowed-out elements 3 are made of a heat-conducting material andare coated with a material which absorbs the water projected onto thesaid tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3. Consequently, theevaporation of the water retained by this absorbent material will cause,by endothermic reaction, a cooling of the water circulating in the tubes3 or the hollowed-out elements 3. In this case, the tubes 3 or thehollowed-out elements 3 may be arranged horizontally.

The number of tubes 3 or hollowed-out elements 3, their interiordiameter or width, which will preferably be reduced in order to optimisethe exudation method, their height, their wall thickness, which willpreferably be of medium dimension so that the tubes 3 or thehollowed-out elements 3 may be manufactured using existing mechanisedmethodes of the ceramics industry, are calculated using the followingtwo parameters:

-   -   the external surface of exchange of the tubes 3 or the        hollowed-out elements 3 from which the volume of air which may        be cooled can be calculated;    -   the internal volume of the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements        3 from which the capacity of water which may be refrigerated can        be calculated.

Further, in order to increase the surface of thermal exchange of thetubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3, these may advantageouslycomprise several channels for a better circulation of water. Themanufacture of these tubes 3 or these hollowed-out elements 3 comprisingseveral channels will be effected, advantageously, with an increase intheir width while taking care not to significantly increase the exteriordiameter of the tubes 3 or the thickness of the hollowed-out elements 3so that the circulation of the forced air remains efficient.

Advantageously, the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3 may bearranged in front of and also behind the means of ventilation 7 so thatthey are in the aspiration flow and in the backdraught of the means ofventilation 7.

According to an execution variant of the invention (not shown), thetubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3 may take the form of a coil withfans to facilitate the passage of the forced air and to obtain a greatersurface of thermal exchange.

The evaporator/exchanger 2 is linked to the supply reservoir 1 and thecollection reservoir 4 by an upper distribution chamber 12 and by alower collection chamber 12 which may be in plastic, rubber or ceramic.So, assuming that the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3 arearranged vertically, the evaporator/exchanger 2 is linked respectivelyto the supply reservoir 1 and the collection reservoir 4 by thisdistribution chamber 12 and this collection chamber 12, each comprisingsupply tubes (not shown) which cap respectively the upper and lowerparts of each tube 3 or hollowed-out element 3, this distributionchamber 12 and this collection chamber 12 being respectively linked tothe supply reservoir 1 and to the collection reservoir 4 by a tube 13.

The means of aspiration 5 may be a variable-speed electric pumpincluding a selector of pre-defined speeds or a continuous speedvariator, the speed being determined either manually or automatically.

The means of ventilation 7 which generates an airflow directed towardthe means of spraying 6 may run at a variable speed and so comprise aselector of pre-defined speeds or a continuous speed variator, the speedbeing determined either manually or automatically. It may be a verticalblade fan or a turbine with horizontal vanes.

A humidity probe (not shown) as well as a thermostatic probe (not shown)will control the means of aspiration 5 and the means of ventilation 7respectively in order to be able to automatically determine the quantityof water vaporised by the means of spraying 6 and the volume of airgenerated by the means of ventilation 7. Advantageously, the humidityprobe as well as the thermostatic probe may be contained together in anexternal unit (not shown), placed in the building to be cooled; thisunit may be linked to the device 8 by means of a wireless transmissionallowing it to be placed anywhere in the building.

Advantageously, the said unit may also comprise controls (an on/offswitch, speed selectors, etc.) as well as indicators (alarm, on/off,etc.) so allowing the device according to the invention 8 to becontrolled remotely.

In order to direct the airflow generated by the means of ventilation 7toward the means of spraying 6 as well as toward the structure of theevaporator/exchanger 2, the median zone of the device 8 in which arearranged the means of spraying 6, the evaporator 2 and the means ofventilation 7 may contain a housing having approximately the shape of atruncated pyramid, axis oriented horizontally, with the large base andthe small base turned respectively toward the forward and rear face ofthe device 8.

The humidified and cooled flow of air generated by the means ofventilation 7 is propelled out of the device according to the invention8 by passing through an exit grill 18 comprised in the forward face ofthe said device 8.

The device according to the invention 8 comprises an air intake grill 15comprised in the rear face of the device 8, and this grill may comprisea filter (not shown) to prevent the aspiration of dust which mayprejudice the correct working of the apparatus. This air intake grill 15may also have flaps or shutters which may be closed partially orcompletely.

The collection reservoir 4 which will be advantageously insulatedcomprises a draining plug (not shown) in the lower face of the deviceaccording to the invention 8 to allow the complete evacuation of thewater contained in the collection reservoir 4 when the device 8 is notin use.

To ensure the seating of the device 8, a ballast may be fixed on thelower face of the device 8.

Advantageously, in order to check the level of water in the supplyreservoir 1, a transparent window may be comprised in the front face ofthe device according to the invention 8.

The supply reservoir 1 may have a float 16 protected from the ice cubesby a grill (not shown) or by a perforated sheet envelope (not shown),this float 16 controlling an alarm which is sonic (for example,repetitive beeps) and/or visual (for example, a blinking red light) toindicate that the reservoir 1 must be filled, and the device 8 may beturned off if this refilling doesn't take place within a predeterminedlapse of time.

The controls (on/off switch, speed selectors, etc.) as well as theindicators (alarm, on/off, etc.) may be placed together on a panel 17 onthe front or upper face of the device 8.

In the case where the supply reservoir 1 is directly linked to the mainswater supply, the float 16 may automatically control the opening of aninlet valve as soon as the level of water reaches a minimum and theclosure of the inlet valve as soon as the water level reaches a maximum.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention 8 may be mountedon castors 19.

A duty cycle of this device, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, is then asfollows:

-   -   the supply reservoir 1 is filled with water, preferably slightly        mineralised or filtered to avoid the scaling-up of the tubes 3        or the hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the device 8 is turned on, which would be verified by means of        the on/off indicator, placed on the panel 17;    -   the water coming from the supply reservoir 1 circulates in the        tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3 of the        evaporator/exchanger 2, part of this water being exuded onto the        external walls of the said tubes 3 or the said hollowed-out        elements 3;    -   a thin film of water is created on the external walls of the        said tubes 3 or said hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the film of water evaporates provoking, by endothermic reaction,        a cooling of the water circulating in the tubes 3 or        hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the means of ventilation 7 is started up and generates a flow of        air directed toward the means of spraying 6 and the structure of        the evaporator/exchanger 2;    -   the means of aspiration 5 is started up and directs the        refrigerated water contained in the collection reservoir 4        toward the means of spraying 6;    -   the means of spraying 6 intermittently sprays onto the structure        of the evaporator/exchanger 2 a cloud of refrigerated water, the        frequency of spraying being controlled by a humidity probe        located close to the external air intake;    -   the flow of air thus humidified and cooled is propelled toward        the exterior of the device 8 through the exit grill 18.

The duty cycle of the device according to the invention 8 continues aslong as the water present in the supply reservoir 1 has not fallen tothe minimum.

According to a variant of the execution of the invention, the saidmethod comprises the following supplementary steps:

-   -   the collection of the refrigerated water, after its passage in        the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3, in a collection        reservoir 4;    -   the transfer of the refrigerated water contained in the        collection reservoir 4 to the supply reservoir 1, using a means        of aspiration 35, the water moving through a tube 34 linking the        supply reservoir 1 to the collection reservoir 4, the        refrigerated water contained in the collection reservoir 4 may        also be directed toward cold air diffusion elements which are        distributed around the building to be cooled;    -   the injection of the cooled water contained in the supply        reservoir 1 into means of spraying.

So, as it is shown in FIG. 4, the device 8 may, for the implementationof the method according to this execution variant of the invention, bemodular allowing them to be superposed and juxtaposed so as to build afixed assembly, according to the volume of the building in question.

For the superposition of the modular devices 8, the tubes 3 orhollowed-out elements 3 of these modular devices 8 are mounted inparallel on a chassis 20 of four plates which may be made of stainlesssteel or built from galvanised pressed steel. Each extremity of thetubes 3 or hollowed-out elements 3 is capped with a protrudingsemi-rigid connecting tube 60 which may be in plastic or rubber, andmodelled so that it can be fitted to one of the tubes 21 which are partof connecting plates 22, these plates being placed respectively aboveand below the upper and lower plate of the frame 20, the retention ofthe said connecting tube 60 in the said tubes 21 of the connectingplates 22 being effected with clips in metal or plastic 23.

If the hollowed-out elements 3 are 10 centimetres or more in width, theywill be capped with a ceramic supply or reception funnel.

The tubes 21 of the connecting plates 22 arranged on the upper plates ofthe chassises 20 constitute a female cavity whereas the tubes 21 of theconnecting plates 22 arranged on the lower plates of the chassises 20constitute a male cavity. In this way, the superposition of the devicesaccording to the invention 8 is made possible as the connecting plates22 ensure the watertightness of the assembly which may be optimised byplacing toric joints 29 on the said tubes 21 of the connecting plates.

The connecting plates 22 placed at the top and the bottom of theassembly, constituted by juxtaposing devices according to the invention8, are linked to auxiliary tanks 25, the upper auxiliary tank 25 and thelower auxiliary tank 25 comprising respectively male tubes (not shown)and female tubes 26 which can work together with the tubes 21 of theconnecting plates 22 so that the said connecting plates 22 are linked tothe auxiliary tanks 25. The upper and lower auxiliary tanks 25 arerespectively linked to a supply reservoir 1 and to a collectionreservoir 4 by a linking tube 27.

Advantageously, so that the device according to the invention 8 may bejuxtaposed, the lateral plates/flanges/guides of the chassis 20 maycomprise means of connection such as male or female cavities.

The assembly constituted by the juxtaposition of devices according tothe invention 8 comprises a supply reservoir 1 which may be linked tothe mains water supply by an appropriate pipe 11 which may be a rigidtube or a flexible tube reinforced by a metal braid.

The filling of the supply reservoir 1 may be controlled by a float valve(not shown) in the said supply reservoir 1 and adjusted to a height sothat an intermediate level may be ensured in order that a sufficientvolume is reserved for the refrigerated water provided by the collectionreservoir 4 by a means of aspiration 35.

The upper part of the supply reservoir 1 will have an air-hole so thatthe water flows freely.

The supply reservoir 1 is linked to a collection reservoir 4 by a tube34 including a means of aspiration 35 so that the refrigerated watercontained in the collection reservoir 4 may pass to the supply reservoir1. The collection reservoir 4 comprises a solenoid valve 30 which, whenit is open, allows the water contained in this reservoir 4 to pass tothe said tube 34. This solenoid valve 30 is controlled by a thermostat31 linked to two probes 32, 33, one 32 in the supply reservoir 1 and theother 33 in the collection reservoir 4. With this set-up, when thetemperature difference, registered by the thermostat 31, reaches a valuewhich has been pre-set by the user (for example, 5 degrees), thesolenoid valve 30 opens and the means of aspiration 35 is started up sothat the supply reservoir 1 may be provided with refrigerated water.

The supply reservoir 1 comprises a pressure switch 36 used to turn offthe means of aspiration 35 as well as to close the solenoid valve 30when the volume of refrigerated water transferred into the supplyreservoir 1 has completely filled the said reservoir 1.

Advantageously, the refrigerated water contained in the collectionreservoir 4 may also be directed toward cold air diffusion elementswhich are distributed around the building to be cooled; these elementsmay, for example, be car radiators. So, the means of aspiration 35transfers the refrigerated water via a branch of the tube 34 in order tosupply these diffusion elements.

Advantageously, this cycle of filling the supply reservoir withrefrigerated water coming from the collection reservoir 4 is restartedperiodically.

The collection reservoir 4 which will be Advantageously insulatedcomprises a drainage plug (not shown) as part of the lower face of thedevice according to the invention 8 to allow the complete evacuation ofthe water contained in the collection reservoir 4 when the device 8 isnot in use.

Each modular device 8 comprises a means of ventilation of the said typeplaced either in front of the tubes 3 or the hollowed-out elements 3comprised in each modular device 8 (these situated therefore in theaspirated air flow), or behind the said tubes 3 or hollowed-out elements3 (these situated therefore in the propelled air flow). These means ofventilation may consist of a fan or a vertical-blade turbine, and mayrun at a variable speed and comprise a selector of pre-defined speeds ora continuous speed variator, the speed being determined either manuallyor automatically. Thermostatic probes distributed in the building to becooled may be used to drive the variable speed of these means ofventilation.

Advantageously, one or more modular devices 8 may be placedsimultaneously in front of the said means of ventilation and one or moremodular devices 8 behind the said means of ventilation so that theexchange surfaces and the volumes of refrigerated water may beincreased, according to the performance required which depends on thevolume of the buildings in question, the regional climatic conditions,etc.

A means of spraying possibly consisting of a crown of atomising nozzlesis placed in front of the means of ventilation, this means of sprayingbeing supplied with refrigerated water by the supply reservoir 1 whichcomprises a solenoid valve controlled by a pressure switch 38. So, whenthe supply reservoir 1 is full the opening of this solenoid valve isactuated by the pressure switch 38, whereas when the level of watercontained in the supply reservoir 1 returns to the said intermediatelevel, the solenoid valve is closed.

Advantageously, this modular device 8 may be remotely controlled with acontrol panel (not shown) which may comprise at least a humidity probeand/or at least a thermostatic probe and/or controls (an on/off switch,speed selectors, etc.) and/or indicators (alarm, on/off, etc.).

A duty cycle of this device 8, such as the one shown on FIG. 4, is thenas follows:

-   -   the supply reservoir 1 is filled with water from the mains water        supply;    -   the device 8 is turned on;    -   water from the supply reservoir 1 after having passed through        the upper auxiliary tank 25 passes through the tubes 3 or the        hollowed-out elements 3 of the evaporator/exchanger 2, a part of        the water is the object of an exudation on the external walls of        the said tubes 3 or said hollowed-out elements 3;    -   a thin film of water is created on the external walls of the        said tubes 3 or hollowed-out elements 3;    -   the film of water evaporates provoking, by endothermic reaction,        a cooling of the water circulating in the tubes 3 or        hollowed-out elements 3;    -   water thus refrigerated is collected in the collection reservoir        4 after having passed through the lower auxiliary tank 25;    -   if the difference in temperature registered by the thermostat 31        reaches a predetermined value, the solenoid valve 30 is opened        and the means of aspiration 35 is started up;    -   the passage of refrigerated water, coming from the collection        reservoir 4, in the tube 34 and its progression toward the        supply reservoir 1 and/or toward the cold air diffusion elements        which are distributed around the building to be cooled;    -   the stopping of the means of aspiration 35 and the closing of        the solenoid valve 30 when the volume of refrigerated water        transferred into the supply reservoir 1 has completely filled        the said reservoir 1;    -   the starting-up of the means of ventilation generating a flow of        air which is propelled toward the means of spraying;    -   the opening of the solenoid valve controlled by the pressure        switch 38 when the supply reservoir 1 is full;    -   the injection of the cooled air contained in the supply        reservoir into the means of spraying, this being controlled by a        humidity probe;    -   the propulsion of the airflow, thus humidified and cooled,        toward the exterior of the device 8.

1. Method used to establish and/or maintain defined conditions oftemperature and humidity in a building, wherein it comprises thefollowing steps: the filling with water of a supply reservoir connectedto at least an evaporator/exchanger; the passage of the water containedin the supply reservoir through tubular elements or hollowed-outelements of at least an evaporator/exchanger; the generation, by a meansof ventilation of a flow of air which is to be cooled toward at least anevaporator/exchanger; the spraying of the water in the said airflowtoward at least an evaporator/exchanger using a means of spraying orhumidification, in order to create a humidified and cooled airflow, athin film of water is created on the external walls of the said tubularelements or said hollowed-out elements when the said airflow and thetubular elements or the hollowed-out elements are in contact; thesubsequent evaporation of this film of water provoking, by endothermicreaction, a cooling of the water circulating in at least anevaporator/exchanger.
 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein thetubular elements or the hollowed-out elements are porous and itcomprises the following supplementary steps: the exudation of a part ofthe water circulating in at least an evaporator/exchanger on theexternal walls of the said tubular elements or hollowed-out elements,the exudation being possible due to the porosity of the material whichconstitutes the tubular or hollowed-out elements; the creation of a thinfilm of water on the external walls of the said tubular or hollowed-outelements following this exudation of water circulating in at least anevaporator/exchanger.
 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein itcomprises the following supplementary steps: the collection of therefrigerated water, after its passage in the tubular or the hollowed-outelements (3), in the collection reservoir (4); the aspiration of therefrigerated water contained in the collection reservoir (4), using ameans of aspiration (5), in order to direct it toward the said means ofspraying or humidification (6).
 4. (canceled)
 5. Method according toclaim 3, wherein the refrigerated water is sprayed intermittently withthe means of spraying or humidification on the structure of at least anevaporator/exchanger.
 6. Device for implementing the method according toclaim 1, wherein it comprises: a supply reservoir connected to at leastan evaporator/exchanger; at least an evaporator/exchanger comprisingtubular elements or hollowed-out elements through which the water comingfrom the supply reservoir circulates; means of spraying orhumidification that is placed behind or above the said at least anevaporator/exchanger and which sprays refrigerated water, coming from acollection reservoir, on the structure of the evaporator/exchanger; ameans of ventilation generating a flow of air directed toward the meansof spraying or humidification in order to produce a humidified andcooled airflow, the means of ventilation being placed behind the meansof spraying or humidification, a collection reservoir collecting therefrigerated water coming from at least an evaporator/exchanger, thecollection reservoir being arranged bebeath the evaporator/exchanger,the collection reservoir may be insulated and comprise a draining plugin the lower face of the device according to the invention, a means usedto transmit the refrigerated water contained in a collection reservoirtoward the means of spraying or humidification, this means of aspirationbeing a variable-speed electric pump including a selector of pre-definedspeeds or a continuous speed variator, the speed being determined eithermanually or automatically. 7-10. (canceled)
 11. Device according toclaim 6, wherein the supply reservoir comprising a float whichautomatically controls the opening of an inlet valve as soon as thelevel of water reaches a minimum and the closure of the inlet valve assoon as the water level reaches a maximum. 12-16. (canceled)
 17. Deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein some tubular or hollowed-out elements arearranged in front of and also behind the means of ventilation, which maybe a vertical blade fan or a turbine with horizontal vanes, means ofventilation run at a variable speed and so comprise a selector ofpre-defined speeds or a continuous speed variator, the speed beingdetermined either manually or automatically, the tubular or thehollowed-out elements are made of a porous material, and/or the tubularor hollowed-out elements are made of a heat-conducting material and arecoated with a material which absorbs the water projected onto the saidtubular or hollowed-out elements. 18-24. (canceled)
 25. Device accordingto claim 6, wherein a humidity probe as well as a thermostatic proberespectively control the means of aspiration and the means ofventilation, the humidity probe as well as the thermostatic probe arecontained together in an external unit, placed in the building to becooled, this unit may be linked to the device by means of a wirelesstransmission, said unit comprises controls as well as indicators. 26-27.(canceled)
 28. Device (8) according to claim 6, wherein the median zoneof the device which are arranged the means of spraying orhumidification, the evaporator and the means of ventilation contains ahousing having approximately the shape of a truncated pyramid, axisoriented horizontally, with the large base and the small base turnedrespectively toward the forward and rear face of the device, the devicefurther comprising: an exit grill comprised in the forward face of thesaid device through which the humidified and cooled flow of airgenerated by the means of ventilation is propelled out of the deviceaccording to the invention; an air intake grill comprised in the rearface of the device; this air intake grill comprising flaps or shutterswhich may be closed partially or completely, and/or a filter to preventthe aspiration of dust which may prejudice the correct working of theapparatus. 29-33. (canceled)
 34. Device according to claim 6, wherein aballast is fixed on the lower face of the device to ensure the seatingof the device, and/or a transparent window is comprised in the frontface of the device according to the invention in order to check thelevel of water in the supply reservoir, the supply reservoir comprises afloat protected from the ice cubes by a grill or by a perforated sheetenvelope, this float controlling an alarm which is sonic and/or visual,and/or controls as well as the indicators are placed together on a panelon the front or upper face of the device, and/or it is mounted oncastors, and/or it is modular allowing them to superpose and juxtaposesuch modular devices so as to build a fixed assembly, according to thevolume of the building in question. 35-61. (canceled)